OTTAWA (Reuters) - Wi-LAN Inc WIN.TO said on Thursday it has initiated litigation against 22 technology companies in two actions claiming patent infringement.
Wi-LAN, which licenses patents for telecom products, said the suits against chip suppliers, equipment vendors and electronics retailers have commenced in the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.
The filings claim that the companies infringe Wi-LAN patents -- related to Wi-Fi and power consumption in DSL products -- by making or selling such products as wireless routers, modems and personal notebook computers.
The legal action is against Acer 2353.TW, Apple AAPL.O, Atheros Communications ATHR.O, Belkin International, Best Buy BBY.N, Broadcom BRCM.O, Buffalo Technology, Circuit City Stores CC.N, Dell DELL.O, D-Link 2332.TW, Gateway Inc GATE.DE, Hewlett-Packard HPQ.N, Infineon Technologies IFXGn.DE, Intel INTC.O, Lenovo Group 0992.HK, Marvell Semiconductor MRVL.O, NetGear NTGR.O, Sony 6758.T, Texas Instruments TXN.N, Toshiba 6502.T, Westell Technologies WSTL.O, and 2Wire Inc.
Ottawa-based company Wi-LAN in July said it struck a preliminary deal with Fujitsu 6702.T to license its entire portfolio. Financial terms were not released.
“While we prefer to resolve patent infringement through business discussions, we have consistently maintained that litigation was always a possibility when negotiations do not result in a license within a reasonable time,” Chief Executive Jim Skippen said in a statement.
Wi-LAN said it has a portfolio of more than 280 issued or pending patents.
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